University of Virginia Library

LETTER XLII.

Well, Charles, the show is over,
as we yankees say; and the girl is my own.
That is, if I will have her. I shall take my
own time for that, however. I have carried
my point, and am amply revenged on the whole
posse of those dear friends of her's. She was
entangled by a promise (not to marry this priest
without my knowledge,) which her conscience
would not let her break. Thank God, I have
no conscience. If I had, I believe it would
make wretched work with me! I suppose she
intended to have one, or the other of us; but
preferred me. I have escaped the noose, this
time, and I'll be fairly hanged, if I ever get so
near it again. For indeed Charles, I was seriously
alarmed. I watched all their motions;
and the appearances of harmony between them
awakened all my activity and zeal. So great
was my insatuation, that I verily believe I should
have asked her in marriage, and risked the consequences,
rather than to have lost her!

I went to the house, while Mr. Boyer was in
town, but her mamma resused to call her, or
to acquaint her that I was there. I then wrote
a despairing letter, and obtained a conference
with her in the garden. This was a fortunate
event for me. True, Eliza was very haughty,
and resolutely insisted on immediate declaration
or rejection. And I cannot say what would
have been the result, if Mr. Boyer had not surprized
us together. He gave us a pretty harsh
look and retired without speaking a word.

I endeavored to detain Eliza, but in vain.
She left me on my knees, which are always ready
to bend on such occasions.

This sinished the matter, it seems. I rose,
and went into a near neighbor's to observe
what happened; and in about half an hour saw
Mr. Boyer come out, and go to his lodgings.

This, said I to myself, is a good omen. I
went home, and was informed next day, that
he had mounted his horse and departed.

I heard nothing more of her till yesterday,
when I determined to know how she stood affected
towards me. I therefore paid her a visit,
her mamma being luckily abroad.

She received me very placidly, and told me,
on inquiry, that Mr. Boyer's resentment at her
meeting me in the garden was so great, that he
had bid her a final adieu. I congratulated myself
on having no rival; hoped that her favor
would now be unbiassed, and that in due time I
should reap the reward of my fidelity. She

begged me not to mention the subject; said
she had been perplexed by our competition,
and wished not to hear any thing further about
it at present. I bowed in obedience to her
commands and changed the discourse.

I informed her, that I was about taking a
tour to the southward; that I should be absent
several months, and trusted that on my return
her embarrassments would be over.

I left her with regret. After all, Charles,
she is the summum bonum of my life. I must
have her in some way or other. No body else
shall, I am resolved.

I am making preparations for my journey;
which between you and me, is occasioned by
the prospect of making a speculation, by which
I hope to mend my affairs. The voyage will
at least lessen my expenses, and screen me from
the importunity of creditors till I can look about
me.